And then there were four.
The Udi D 2020 MLS Cup playoffs have been reduced from 18 to four teams with only 90 minutes (or maybe 120) to reach the MLS Cup.
In the East, two MLS are looking to return to the original big game, while in the West, Seattle Sounders FC is trying to book their place for the fourth time in five years. But Minnesota United are looking to continue the spo historical run in the first MLS Cup and play spoilers.
Here’s what to look for.
Columbus Crew SC () vs. New England Revolution ())
Sunday, December. 3 p.m. ET | ABC, ESPN Deportes in the US; TVA Sports in TSN4, Canada
In the Upsi D 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs bracket Topsy-Turvy East Bracket, Columbus Crew SC is the only top seed who will have trouble getting into their conference finals. The expansion side in the conference semifinals used the No. 3 side professional performance to handle the New York Red Bulls in Round One before Nashville needed extra time to tackle SC.
The New England Revolution, at the right time, is a prime example of the team making their progress and staying healthy. New England entered the post-season as seed seeded and beat Montreal Impact in a play-off match at Gillette Stadium, where they set out as road warriors in the regular season, upsetting No. 1 Philadelphia Union and No. 4. Orlando City S.C.
Playoff history? There’s plenty of it here and it’s one-sided.
The New England Udi D MLS Cup playoff has 4W-0L-3D against the crew. The last meeting came in the 2014 Conference Conference semifinals, in which Kranti advanced 7-3 on the overall path to the MLS Cup, where they landed in the LA Galaxy in extra time.
They last met in the Conference Conference Final in 2002, when the Raves won the series to reach the Cup for the first time, while losing in the final against the Galaxy at 61,316 at Gillette Stadium.
Still, in search of their first title, New England are preparing for sixth place in the MLS Cup, while the Columbus club are trying to reach the MLS Cup for the third time in history, having won the crown in 2008 before losing to the Portland Timbers. In a match played at MAPFRE Stadium in 2015.
The Crew SC win and the MLS Cup will be played again at the MAPFRE Stadium.
Seattle Sounders FC (2) vs Minnesota United (4)
Monday, December. 7:30 p.m. ET | FS1, Fox Deportes in the US; TVA Sports in TSN, Canada
MLS Cup favorite? While other clubs have stayed away from that tag, the Seattle Sounders have it and for good reason. The “Dynasty” moniker’s defense is for the champion, Raul Ruidiz, Jordan Morris and Nico Lodero, who are arguably the fatal attackers in an adult and experienced group with the biggest game experience and success in the league.
The Sounders have put together a pair of professional performances in the post-season, leading LAFC 3-1 in Round One and a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas in the conference semifinals, extending the MLS-Best Home Playoff winning series to 14 games. .
Consider a loan streak buster. Having not won the previous five games at Children’s Mercy Park, colored head coach Adrian Heath described his team as “terribly the best” in those matches in which they beat Minnesota 11-1. So what they did was put on a 45-minute opening masterclass against Sporting Kansas City, with Emanuel Renoso pulling the strings with three assists and Kevin Molino winning 3-0.
Sept. Renoso, the long-awaited move from Boca Juniors on the 1st, made MLS history by becoming the first player to select three assistants in multiple playoff games.
2004 – Emanuel Renoso becomes the first player to record 3 consecutive assists @MLS Match (regular season or #MLSCupPlayoffs) From Jame Moreno in September 2004. Royalty. pic.twitter.com/WnrWo4LsYa
– a ptajek: (pt ptajek) December 4, 2020
Want more history? Loons has won three matches in a row with a 3-0 scoreline, compared to the longest series of three plus goals in league history with the 2017 and 2012 New York Red Bulls and the 2014 LA Galaxy.
Not only will this be the first playoff game between Seattle and Minnesota, but it will also be the first time they will face each other this season. Sounders has won the previous three encounters at Lumen Field.
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